Organic Services initiates a PPP project regarding innovative solutions for group certifications 
A new PPP (public private partnership) project with three project partners, Organic Services, Intact Consult and CERES, as well as several interested certification bodies was started in autumn 2010. As part of their role in the partnership, Organic Services initiated the development of a web-based internal control program that aids the administration of group certifications.
The application of internal control systems is extremely demanding, and particularly smallholder groups often encounter problems due to poor administration and documentation. In addition, the specific requirements of various systems (like Organic, Fair Trade, UtzCertified or GLOBALG.A.P.) differ, resulting in smallholder groups being faced with additional costs and market entry barriers. Since there is no standardisation of requirements for internal control systems, groups are frequently bound to the certification body that set up the system.
The new module is being designed to fit within the framework of Ecert – a database system used for the management of audits and certification. Ecert is widely used internationally by highly respected certification bodies. This modular upgrade will allow internal (quality) control systems to be administered within a single unit that manages all the documents for internal and external inspections. Not only will this new facility be helpful for smallholder groups but well organized contract farming groups will also find it useful. Additionally, the program will ensure inter alia compliance and record-keeping for all requirements, schedules and workflows of assigned inspections as well as enabling the efficient assignment of inspections.
The new module means that for all parties involved – the grower group, the trading firm or processor, the external certification body as well as the accreditors that monitor the certification bodies – the system will become more efficient. This is because the daily update of data, and the improved control and certification management will result in the documentation being recorded systematically in a fully traceable and transparent manner. Thus, the work will be easier, in addition to improved record-keepings and increased safety – all at lower costs.
The project will run until the end of 2012. By then comprehensive testing of the module for both internal and external inspections in various smallholder groups located in Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia will be completed. Subsequently, the control and certification module will be introduced to interested organizations at trade fairs and in workshops in order to incorporate proposals for improvements.
This project is being implemented by the certifier CERES – Certification of Environmental Standards GmbH with technical support from the software developer Intact Consult GmbH and under the coordination of Organic Services GmbH.
The project is supported by the programme “develoPPP.de” of the DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft) the German Investment and Development Company. 
If you have any questions please contact the project director:
Gerald A. Herrmann
Director of Organic Services
Email: g.herrmann @organic-services.com
Phone: +49 (0) 89 820 759 – 06
